On March 23, 2023, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin testified on President Biden’s proposed Department of Defense budget request at a hearing of the U.S. House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee on Capitol Hill in Washington.
Michael A. McCoy | Michael A. McCoy Reuters
The United States on Saturday unveiled a new arms and equipment aid package worth $988 million to Ukraine to support its ongoing fight against Russia’s incursion.
The plan nearly halve the $2.21 billion remaining in the Ukraine security aid package as the Biden administration commits to purchasing weapons from industry rather than withdrawing troops from U.S. weapons stockpiles.
According to the Pentagon, AI’s funding will be used to purchase ammunition for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) made by Lockheed Martin, as well as drones and spare parts for maintaining artillery equipment.
The plan was announced Saturday as defense industry and policymakers met at the annual Reagan Defense Forum in California.
The Biden administration has frequently used the presidential divestment authority, which authorizes President Joe Biden to transfer excess goods and services from U.S. stocks during emergencies without congressional approval.
USAI funding is independent and will be used to purchase new weapons from industry.
The Biden administration still has about $6 billion in presidential withdrawal authority granted by Congress, including funds authorized in 2024 and funds discovered by the Pentagon after it overestimated the value of weapons shipped to Ukraine.
Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, the United States has pledged more than $62 billion worth of security assistance to Ukraine.
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